iOS: Apple has finally released its much-anticipated public version of iOS 11.4, which ushers in a few big improvements to the mobile operating system, including messages that (finally) synchronise across devices via iCloud, stereo pairing for its big HomePod speakers, AirPlay 2, and a bunch of new calendar features for Siri.

iOS 11.4 has been released to beta testers and includes USB Restricted Mode. If an iOS device hasn't been unlocked either using Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode for seven days, the Lightning port's data functions will be disabled, allowing the device to only be charged.

For those who missed the memo, iOS 11.3 is now available for all iOS devices. Here's how to find all of its most compelling features and updates.

iOS: Not everyone has a list of favourite podcasts like the nerds at Lifehacker. If you're new to podcasts, the available apps for managing them can feel needlessly complex - especially if all you want is the latest episode of that one show your friend mentioned. If you don't want to worry about things such as storage cache and playlist generation, check out 'sodes, an easy-to-use podcast app.

Love them or hate them, batteries power everything you hold dear, or at least everything inside your phone. You might have a brand new iPhone with a fully charged battery or a dying iPhone 6, whose battery is so degraded it requires a replacement from Apple (at least it's discounted). Sure, all batteries degrade eventually, but you can take some preventative steps to keep them in good health for as long as possible.

Mac/iOS: Setting an alert on your iOS device or Mac computer can be done in a variety of ways. You can ask Siri, use your Clock app, set up a reminder, or make an alarm. Unfortunately, these all come with a few caveats that may leave you confused as to why your phone is buzzing at 3AM - or end up with you rushing out the door thanks to a missed reminder you thought your HomePod would share with you. Engineer Dr Drang took a look at how it all worked and found that, well, it was pretty confusing.

It's easy to complain about something. "My coffee is too bitter! The office is too warm! The dog didn't let me give him a bone-crushing hug!" Sure, some gripes are minor, but when it comes to interacting with technology, it can be the little things that push us over the edge. Case in point, Apple. Beautiful products. At least to look at.

While I'm the first to applaud software developers who focus on quality and reliability, it's hard to understand how a company as massive as Apple can't weave those qualities into their software from the outset. But reports by Bloomberg and Axios suggest Apple is having their own version of the Microsoft "Trustworthy Computing" moment, when Bill Gates stopped the addition of new features until Windows and the company's other software was more secure and reliable.

Apple offered up a first look at iOS 11.3 today, revealing plans to improve Messages, add new augmented reality features, let you check your health records from the Health app, and control your iPhone's battery life. But if you have an iPhone X, the biggest news of the day is the four fresh Animoji coming this autumn.

Apple's upcoming iOS 11.3 update is bringing a few improvements to its augmented reality software, some new animoji, and, luckily, more granular control over your iPhone's performance. You'll be able to choose for yourself whether or not you want to decrease the performance of your iPhone for the sake of boosting your battery life, overriding Apple's previous and controversial decision to slow down iPhones with degraded batteries, all without the user's knowledge.

Apple's ARKit for iOS 11 makes it relatively easy for developers to take advantage of the company's augmented reality features, and gives consumers the opportunity to interact with a virtual world layered over your actual environment. Augmented reality games are certainly the flashiest way to demonstrate its many uses, but some of the best augmented reality apps aren't games at all. These AR tools for iOS empower you with the tools you need to establish some sense of order in your home, plan for the future (in terms of what couch you're going to buy this spring) and get started on some home improvement projects without lifting a hammer.

iOS: If you've tried to manage your photos and videos on anything besides your iPhone, you might have run into compatibility issues preventing you from opening, uploading or editing particular files. That's thanks to Apple's new space-saving HEIF image and HEVC video file formats, which offers a space-saving benefit compared to older JPEG and H.264 formats, though they aren't exactly beneficial if you can't open the file at all. Here's how you can stick with the tried and true image and video formats until more companies figure out how to support the newer standards.

iOS: If the kid doubling as a monster wrangler in your life is hooked on catching oddly-shaped fictional animals (or if you're addicted to the game yourself), you'd better hope they have got a recent phone on which to play their favourite game. Pokemon GO developer Niantic has announced an upcoming update that will incorporate Apple's ARKit, resulting in a more polished augmented reality experience, but bar devices unable to run iOS 11 from playing the game. Sorry, trainers.

Got an iPhone 6 or 6s? Chances are you're dealing with a slightly slower smartphone thanks to Apple's reveal that it was slowing down iOS devices affected by degraded batteries. The company has since announced it will offer battery replacements for iPhone 6 and later devices. But whether or not you're a victim of some power management snafu, you should replace your battery anyway.

If you've got an iPad with iOS 11, you're probably getting used to the new gestures involved in navigating. From the always-on Dock to the new multitasking options, you'll need to figure out how to move your fingers around that screen if you ever want to ditch that laptop for good and go tablet-only.

Congratulations, proud owner of a new iPad! You no doubt want to get started swiping, tapping, consuming, and creating whatever your heart desires, especially if you've got your hands on an Apple Pencil. But before you jump into the App Store and fill your tablet, you'll want to change a few settings beforehand, if only to keep your cellular data from running dry, your battery from running low, and your privacy from being violated.

Mac/iOS: Bucking its minimalist trend of killing wishlists and killing desktop downloads, the iOS App Store added a feature: Developers can open up their apps for pre-orders, up to 90 days in advance. (The feature is also available on the Mac App Store.)

iOS: If your iPhone or iPad was frequently crashing over the weekend, you're not alone.

iPhone batteries are one of those things that no matter how long they last, it isn't going to be long enough. There's even an entire industry built on selling backup batteries for our smartphones and tablets to keep them going once the battery runs out.